TOUR de FRANCE

Yesterday the mountains in the Tour de France started in dramatic fashion and settled some long pending issues.

So we now know that Lance is playing second fiddle in Team Astana, and Thor Hushovd held on to the Green Jersey as controversy swirled around the competition.

Mark Cavendish appeared to have that jersey all locked up after claiming his fourth stage win this year and Thor Hushovd, had also appeared to have accepted the inevitable. But in a case of serious miscalculation Cavendish allowed Thor reclaim the jersey heading into the mountains. On Saturday, Cavendish messed it up further by trying to press Thor into the barriers. The penalty awarded sees him dropping him 18 points behind the "God of Thunder", which more or less assures him the Green on the Champs-Elysees.

In the General Classification, Rinaldo Nocentini had held on to the Yellow Jersey for more than a week. But as expected he fell beind on the climbs up Verbier.

Alberto Contador made his move and won the stage donning the Yellow Jersey for the first time here.
He showed that he is the guy to beat now.

The competition is likely to come from Andy Schleck, Cadel Evans, and last year's champion Carlos Sastre. Sastre had a great ride on Sunday and seems to be getting stronger as the Tour goes on.

Armstrong, is in second place but 1 minute, 37 seconds adrfit and just 9 seconds ahead of the third place Wiggins.

Following yesterday's stage, Armstrong conceded that Contador was the top rider on the team, and in the Tour itself, and that he wouldn't be able to beat him going into Paris.

So the miracle man is not running for the top position anymore. Sad but that is how team dynamics affect an individual.

Happy cycling